MORE TEACHERS:
Minister of Education Trevor Mallard has announced a school
staffing increase. The Government is to fund an extra 350
teachers between primary and secondary schools from the
beginning of next year at a cost of $27 million.

POWER
PRICES: Wholesale power prices are rising again despite a
five percent cut in the country’s use yesterday.

ROAD
TOLL: Last month’s road toll was the lowest for July since
records began in 1965.

DIGITAL TV: Telecommunications
company Telstra Saturn says it is negotiating with other
parties in the pay TV area after pulling the plug on a deal
with TVNZ. It had been negotiating with TVNZ to launch a
joint digital TV service next year.

WANAKA DEVELOPMENTS:
Developers have announced plans for two big developments in
Wanaka, estimated to have a retail value of $94m
dollars.

POKIE CONTROL: The Hamilton City Council has made
its first move to control pokie machines. The Council has
set up a working party to consider ways to control and
manage the gambling machines.

MISSILE SHIELD: The United
States Military still will not say how long it will be
before it reaches the limits of what is allowed under the
1972 anti-ballistic missiles treaty, as it goes ahead with
its national missile defence system. The US has to give 6
months notice if it plans to withdraw from the treaty.

MISSILE ATTACK: Thousands of Palestinians have been
protesting on the West Bank after a fatal Israeli missile
attack on Hamas offices. The US and Britain called the
attack excessive and provocative.

AIR NZ: The NZ &
Australian governments have agreed to give greater
consideration to the Qantas bid to carve up Air
NZ.

NON-RECLINING SEATS: The Consumers Institute says Air
NZ is being stingy for not giving an instant discount to
passengers that have to use non reclining seats on their new
767s. Air NZ is presently offering passenger using the
non-reclining seats $200 off their next flight, as long as
it’s within the next year.

ENERGY DRINK LABELLING: The
Medical Association is supporting a decision by ANZFA to put
warning labels on energy drinks advising caffeine sensitive
people, pregnant women and children not drink
them.

WEATHER STATION THEFTS: The Met Service has been
forced to close automatic weather station at Cape Reinga
because thieves have repeatedly stolen the solar panels and
batteries that power
it.

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